A peacekeeper in an armoured vehicle providing protection for civilians in downtown Beni, Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). Photo: MONUSCO/Abel Kavanagh

DR Congo, 4 February 2015 – The head of the United Nations Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO) has today strongly condemned massacre of civilians that took place in the area of Beni town in the vast country’s restive northeast.

“Nothing will deter MONUSCO from its purpose to neutralise all armed groups terrorising the population,” said Mission chief, Martin Kobler, who is also the Secretary-General’s Special Representative in the country. “We will support the Congolese authorities to ensure that everything is done to prosecute the perpetrators of these atrocious killings and bring them to justice.”

Civilians in the village of Mayangose-Kibidiwe, northeast of Beni, were attacked with machetes, Mr. Kobler said, adding that elements of MONUSCO, the DRC’s armed forces (FARDC) and the national police were dispatched to the site and an investigation was launched.

Mr. Kobler also referred to a separate attack in Kasu, in Eastern Province, where several villagers were beheaded by people from outside.

“We will continue our active support for security operations by the FARDC, so tranquillity can return to Beni and throughout eastern DRC,” he said.